Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: LWC on January 04, 2008, 08:59:06 pm

Title: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 04, 2008, 08:59:06 pm
i have got 2 ibc tanks, and ive been waiting for it to rain. today it rained

i could not beleive it...ive filled them both half way in a few hours of rain!

it rained for about 3 - 4 hours i wouldve said, and ive collected 1000 litres in that time!

when i get the new van ill just be pumping that into the van tank and running just a di system, i really cannot beleive how much water ive collected! in a short amount of time
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2008, 09:04:52 pm
Good isnt it  ;)
Millions of gallons for free !
What tds do you have and what roof covering ?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 04, 2008, 09:05:57 pm
WOW! Thats brilliant!

You just redirected your drainpipe into them??
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 04, 2008, 09:10:22 pm
LWC, do you have any pictures of your setup?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 04, 2008, 09:18:54 pm
no pics, its not setup properly yet, i want to clean them out and i thought it was a waste of waste of water just filling it from the tap.

ive just got 2 downpipes 1 each side of the garage, the roofs slate. ive always looked at these pipes, and the water absoultly flies out of there, this is gonna be great  ;D

i took a readin the other day and it was 007ppm
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 04, 2008, 09:22:28 pm
Nice one mate. Thats just from the garage roof??
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2008, 09:25:57 pm
let it settle a bit and then try using it  as it is ;)
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Rob.Hall on January 04, 2008, 09:29:15 pm
The water comps in a drought wont let you use stored water from your own sorces.......????

This was in an artical not so long ago.........Did you know it belongs to them..aparently..

I cannot be sure of the legitamacy of this report.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2008, 09:33:51 pm
What a great story that would make "rainwater" is banned and taxed. I already pay water/sewage rates.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Wayne Thomas on January 04, 2008, 09:42:42 pm
You can always plumb your rainwater tank in if used as a harvesting tank for flushing toilets, etc to reduce your water bill if you're registered on a meter usage.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Rob.Hall on January 04, 2008, 09:46:33 pm
Yeh....

I wish I could get hold of that report.

I was looking to store rain water but have been put of for the above reason.

Must find it//////// ::)
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Neil Williams on January 04, 2008, 09:52:56 pm
The water comps in a drought wont let you use stored water from your own sorces.......????
This was in an artical not so long ago.........Did you know it belongs to them..aparently..
I cannot be sure of the legitamacy of this report.

The key word is drought. If there is a drought issued then there will be issues with using any water. Hose pipe ban is different and all this who owns what water, was covered in another thread only a few weeks back.
All this collecting rain when it rains is great but what about when it doesn't rain. 1000L doesn't last long in the wfp world.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2008, 09:55:51 pm
The more you use the more you save  ;)

Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 04, 2008, 10:03:17 pm
well itll be 2000 litres when its full, then when it doesnt rain ill just use the tap water...obviously

its a big garage by the way
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 04, 2008, 10:04:12 pm
The water comps in a drought wont let you use stored water from your own sorces.......????
This was in an artical not so long ago.........Did you know it belongs to them..aparently..
I cannot be sure of the legitamacy of this report.

The key word is drought. If there is a drought issued then there will be issues with using any water. Hose pipe ban is different and all this who owns what water, was covered in another thread only a few weeks back.
All this collecting rain when it rains is great but what about when it doesn't rain. 1000L doesn't last long in the wfp world.

I guess... and this would be my plan.... you use the harvested rainwater only during hosepipe bans, drought, etc.  If you could collect 5000 liters in the winter, this would last a few weeks surely?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 04, 2008, 10:07:52 pm
I think it was about June I installed my 1 IBC and have not used the RO since. That original IBC lasted me more than 5 weeks- but I dont do frames.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on January 05, 2008, 07:14:39 am




Hi Jeff,and members.Over Xmas and new year got myself a new rainwater
Collecting `set-up`nearly all from B&Q. 6am this morning brought in my
First `new batch` to test.With the aquarium filters in place,as clear and as
`bit` free as tapwater.I`m really disappointed  though…..A reading of 15ppm.
Last spring with midges ,flies and other perhaps muck going into the butt I
Got readings as low as 2ppm!!!!!!!!!!!! I`m gutted!!!!.....No I take that back,,
,,,I`m doubly gutted!!!!!!!!! Jeff,is there any reason for waiting before using
Your rainwater?


Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 05, 2008, 07:32:08 am
Waiting wont really make that much difference. I get my tds readings down to approx 1 before connecting the filters so dont know why yours are high -sorry.
Are you using the Blue sponge filters first ?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on January 05, 2008, 07:42:22 am





No Jeff,it`s the white wool stuff I`ve used.I`ve got 2 different grades of
The blue stuff waiting to be used.I`m gonna put em` `in line`.The girl in
The aqauarium shop gave me the idea.The white wool was pretty dirty.
It`s good,obviously not good enough.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: frames to panes on January 05, 2008, 08:47:11 am
Even if your rainwater was 15ppm if you ran it through a di vessel or could pump it through your existing ro unit then the savings on resin and filter changes would be pretty good. If you could find a way of getting it through an ro unit then surely the rejection rate would be almost nothing?............... Or not?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 05, 2008, 09:26:52 am
If you ran it through the DI only, what would be the TDS after that?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 09:30:16 am
000
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 05, 2008, 09:36:54 am
000

Perfect :)
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 09:43:38 am
alex gardiner said the other dayy that you will get around 50,000 to 70,000 litres from rain water using di only
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 05, 2008, 10:08:05 am
Well, I guess if you can fill an IBC overnight, then the only limit is how big the tank is?  ;)
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 10:17:22 am
yep, thats right, i would like to have a load of them lol!

well i reakon by the end of today theyll both be full, thats 2000 litres in 1 whole day, and how often does it rain!

ive done a video for you to have a look at, the pipes arent setup properly yet, just diverted into the tanks, like i said i want to flush them out a few times first

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4NH8qqRP3y0

you cant really here what im saying, i just said its not raining all that much but look how much is coming out
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: chrismroberts on January 05, 2008, 10:33:23 am
Cheers for that :) So when they were full, would you divert them back to the drain manually or once theyre set up permanently would you make it automatic somehow?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 10:40:27 am
well, when theyre setup properly im hoping that i will be using them everyday so they wont over fill. the garage is new so there isnt any drainage at the momment, we're going to put the tanks underground and plum it into them into the garage, pump it up.

gonna be really good
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: windowwashers on January 05, 2008, 10:44:04 am
well, when theyre setup properly im hoping that i will be using them everyday so they wont over fill. the garage is new so there isnt any drainage at the momment, we're going to put the tanks underground and plum it into them into the garage, pump it up.

gonna be really good
looks like quite alot of water coming in there, could you not just have an over flow on the tanks diverted to the drain should you ever get full.

I am liking your garage by the way, hope to move asap where I can make my own water treatment plant  ;D

Ian
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: frames to panes on January 05, 2008, 10:49:07 am
Looks good but what are the costs? Would it be cheaper in the long run to just run tap water and purify? Your going to need some hefty digging work to sink two large ibc tanks would it not be easier to keep them in the garage maybe stacked on top of each other? Fit those collars on the downpipes that run off into butts that would divert the water back down the drain when full?
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: windowwashers on January 05, 2008, 10:55:16 am
Looks good but what are the costs? Would it be cheaper in the long run to just run tap water and purify? Your going to need some hefty digging work to sink two large ibc tanks would it not be easier to keep them in the garage maybe stacked on top of each other? Fit those collars on the downpipes that run off into butts that would divert the water back down the drain when full?
the costs are not that much ibc's are cheap I would say less than £100 I could well be wrong but I am looking into it for when i move.

Ian
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: frames to panes on January 05, 2008, 11:04:11 am
I was thinking more along the lines of having to hire a digger to dig out that whacking great hole and lining it, plumbing it and pumping it up then being unable to access the tanks in future?
Don't get me wrong it's a brilliant idea - if it's nessesary.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 11:08:09 am
we got a digger up here  ;D
plumbing yes maybe, itl cost around £200 odd with everything all in, but then itl be well tidyand suplly the garage forever
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 11:10:12 am
we have our own borehole, and with all the water i use, im worried that "maybe" in the summer months, it could run out, meaning no water to the house at all

this to me is essential way of doing it, not just something i fancy doing
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: xxmattyxx on January 05, 2008, 11:15:56 am
we have our own borehole, and with all the water i use, im worried that "maybe" in the summer months, it could run out, meaning no water to the house at all

this to me is essential way of doing it, not just something i fancy doing

Does your borehole supply you with domestic water (so by gaining your WFP supply from it you're potentially risking running out of tap-water?)

Matt
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Elginn on January 05, 2008, 11:17:37 am
LWC, why don't you wrap an old pair of tights around the end of the drainpipe, this will stop any crap getting into your tanks.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 11:21:16 am
yes potentially yes. but been here around a year and a half now and have not run out

so this is just a precaution
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: frames to panes on January 05, 2008, 11:22:09 am
Basically it's just a huge water butt - it should be pretty easy to set up with some kind of replaceable filter to stop any particles getting in. Submersible pump to transfer to the van then polish off with a di vessel. Could even nick next doors rainwater too in exchange for free cleans. ;)
  I do have a theory though, that different weather might bring different results- ever notice how on wet and windy days the windows get filthy? I think if the rain falls on calm days the tds might be much lower.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 05, 2008, 11:25:07 am




Hi Jeff,and members.Over Xmas and new year got myself a new rainwater
Collecting `set-up`nearly all from B&Q. 6am this morning brought in my
First `new batch` to test.With the aquarium filters in place,as clear and as
`bit` free as tapwater.I`m really disappointed  though…..A reading of 15ppm.
Last spring with midges ,flies and other perhaps muck going into the butt I
Got readings as low as 2ppm!!!!!!!!!!!! I`m gutted!!!!.....No I take that back,,
,,,I`m doubly gutted!!!!!!!!! Jeff,is there any reason for waiting before using
Your rainwater?


Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )


Hi Lewis, after more thought, if some of us can do it then we must all be able to. I think that maybe you just aint had the right sort of rain ?
A few days ago it chucked it down my tds was was 2.5 so I didnt collect, but when the rain had almost stopped (just drizzle) the tds rose to 69 after the roof had been washed !
Just to encourage you to keep testing.
Maybe also do a double test with rain into a glass container as a comparison over the next few weeks.
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner on January 05, 2008, 12:11:22 pm




Hi Jeff,I`ve just this minute finished fixing pond liner to my workshop/shed
Roof.What with the blue filters waiting to go as well,I recon that’s it,I can`t
Do anymore.I am a little hopeful and optimistic

Lewis  Doubtfire
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: mark.laycock1@ntlw on January 05, 2008, 01:13:04 pm
hi . i do this for my power washing i have water butt so the rain water from my garage roof collect into the gutter then it go into the water butt then i have a b/q pump to pump the water into 25ltrs drums or 1000 ltr when am washing for people how have no outside taps. with the pump its got a filter on it so i didnt pump any dirt or leaves etc. again it only as to rain for a few hours and its filled.mark
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 03:42:20 pm
people keep saying no rain no water, but i reakon i could fill these tanks in a full day of good rain no problem and how often does it rain...ALL the time lol
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: xxmattyxx on January 05, 2008, 03:46:19 pm
Quote
people keep saying no rain no water, but i reakon i could fill these tanks in a full day of good rain no problem and how often does it rain...ALL the time lol



I would imagine one of the major benefits to it is that its better for the environment,  you can advertise the fact that your doing your bit etc, but if saving water is the bit you're doing because we might be in the middle of a drought theres likely to be no rain anyway, so either way your stumped; whether you want to fill from the stand-pipe in the road or from your empty water bowser in the garden. To get around this your going to need a friggin' big hole in your garden to be able to work through a drought with water-restrictions/stand-pipes/no rain for 6 weeks (which isnt unheard of in this country by any means; last April, yes April, we had zilch rainfall here)
Title: Re: collecting rainwater...wow
Post by: LWC on January 05, 2008, 03:56:17 pm
if i can keep going off my borehole for a year and a half using 2000 - 3000 litres a week, i think its gonna be ok. this is just a precaution, and i also want to get over to DI in the new van, much quicker and no waste.